Welcome to the PRONI Name Search application. This database contains information pulled from a variety of indexes and extracts from pre-1858 records. You can use this database to access information about relevant individuals to your research.
View the Name Search Application
The sources of the names and locations in this application are:
- surviving fragments of the 1740 and the 1766 religious census returns
- 1775 dissenters petitions
- indexes to pre-1858 diocesan wills and administration bonds
For further information on using this application, see our guidance below. You can also navigate to the bottom of this page for links to other helpful guidance to theses records.
Searching
You can search the Name Search application using the following criteria:
- Surname
- Forename
- Location (includes counties, parishes, towns and townlands)
As names and places sometimes vary in how they are spelled in older records, it is recommended to try a number of searches if you are looking for a specific person or place.
If you wish, you can also refine your search by selecting/deselecting a specific index. Before searching, you can also change the criteria by which results are displayed and how many results you would like to view per page.
Viewing results
Once you have submitted a search, the results will be displayed in a table with the following columns:
- Surname
- Forename
- Location
- Index Name
Entry details
In the last column of the results page, you will have the option to select ‘View’ to see further details of each result. This will give you further information including (if applicable):
- The sub-index
- Occupation
- More specific location
- Notes
- PRONI Reference
- Date
While this application doesn't link to digitised images of original records, this page will also note if the original record has survived. Often times, there is either no original record available or no further information to be found.
Further guidance